Hero of the week

I believe your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you.

My heartfelt thank you and sincere gratitude to Eric Clock, Roger Mercer and Nelson Ooka, of the F/V Seafarer, for responding so quickly to my son's VHF distress call on April 13 near Bear Glacier.

Thank you, too, to the wonderful nurses at Seward Hospital for providing warm blankets, cold beverages and comforting words to Sam. Thank you to Sgt. Anderson of the Alaska State Troopers and those who continued to search the area for Jim Dietz.

Jim was like an uncle or big brother to Sam, and this is a painful, sad time for Jim's family and for Sam as we struggle through the loss of a man whose personality and kindheartedness truly touched the hearts of those he knew.